Mali: Rebels Agree to Talks

By The Associated Press

June 10, 2014

Three northern Malian rebel groups signed an accord in Algiers pledging to work for peace through inclusive talks in Mali, the Algerian government said in a statement on Tuesday. The three groups — the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, the High Council for the Unity of Azawad and the Arab Movement of Azawad — pledged their “good faith” to strengthen the reconciliation process. Mali has been in turmoil since 2012, when Tuareg rebel groups seized control of northern Mali, or Azawad as they call it. The government regained control of the whole country last year with the help of French and African troops, but the central government is still resented in the north and in May, rebels again routed Malian soldiers from the far northern town of Kidal, leading to a tense standoff.